LeRoy Evening Book Club Our selection “Catherine, Called Birdy” by Karen Cushman is about a 14 year old living in medieval 1290. Teenagers then and now are not much different, stubborn, have dreams that are different than their parents ,fickle, and want their independence. Catherine is writing a diary at her brothers request, for her to see her childish ways and change Her Mother wanted her to learn skills to run a home and her Father wanted to marry her off for a profit. Birdy describes life, picking fleas off her body, chasing rats, throwing her embroidery in the privy, being knocked around by her father, picking herbs and flowers to make medicine. When her Father asks, “Have you all your teeth?” “Is your breath sweet or foul?” “What color is your hair when it’s clean?” she learns he is husband hunting for her and she wants no part of it. Read how she discourages the men and is punished by her Father. Stop in the LeRoy Public Library there are many books about gardening and landscaping. Spring is here!